Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

I. adj. 1. (1) Narrow, not providing adequate room for passage, close together. Now only dial. in Eng.
Sc. 1783 A. WightPresent State Husbandry IV. 602: They [turnips] were indeed too strait between the rows.Sc. 1816 ScottO. Mortality xiv.: The cleugh we were in was strait.Fif. 1869 D. FlemingClashin' Wives 10: He keeps a black bottle, gey strait at the throttle.

(2) fig. of a problem or argument: close, not easy to decide, nicely-balanced, presenting a dilemma.
Sc. 1708 FountainhallDecisions II. (1759) 468: The Lords found the case very strait, the favour of minors on the one part, and of creditors on the other.

2. Tight, close-fitting, of bindings, garments, etc., constricted (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 184; Sh., ne.Sc., Ags., Lth., Lnk., Rxb. 1971). Also in Eng. dial. Also adv. Comb. strait-boots, the boots, an instrument of torture in which the leg was confined between slats of wood which were gradually tightened by wedges driven between them and the leg. Hist.
Sc. 1703 M. MartinDescr. W. Isles 209: The Head dress was a fine Kerchief of Linen strait about the Head.Sc. 1737 Mrs McLintockReceipts 44: Roll it in a clean cloth, and tye it up strait with broad Tape.Sc. 1751 Session Papers, Coopers of Perth v. Davidson (28 Jan.) 20: Upon the Coopers driving the Hoops straiter, the Fats were tight.Sc. 1785 Scots Mag. (Aug.) 372: Thumbikins, strait-boots, and juggs, the instruments which were used formerly in this country for the punishment of certain offences against the church or state.Mry. 1806 J. CockSimple Strains 85: Gin they chance to be o'er strait, I'll stretch them (slippers) yet.Sc. 1826 Willie o Winsbury in ChildBallads (1886) II. 401: Her stays were sae strait she could na loot.Lnk. 1853 W. WatsonPoems 16: They grip their gear sae stret, They live and die in their ain debt.Ayr. 1861 Carrick Anthol. (Finlayson 1925) 211: He gart puir folk — nae pleasant matter — To draw their belts a bore the straiter.

4. Steep, rising upwards sharply (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 184; Sh., ne.Sc., Ags., Per. 1971). Phr. strait bield, see 1802 quot. Also fig. of a bargain: “steep,” downright.
Sc. 1712 Trial of Scot & Mackpherson (1737) 9: In such a strait and steep place.Sc. 1721 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. XLI. 187: The pass at Entriken. This is a strait descent for 400 or 500 yards.Sc. 1746 Lyon in Mourning (S.H.S.) II. 220: He try'd to speel up Heavens strate brae.Slg. 1769 Session Papers, Drummond v. Erskine (30 June) 51: There is a little Pull at a strait Place at the Wester Roughburn.Rs. 1770 Pitcalnie MSS. (16 July): In this world the only way to put a stout heart to a strait brae.Peb. 1802 C. FindlaterAgric. Peb. 194: The natural shelters are the leeward sides of hills of steep declivity (or strait bields).ne.Sc. 1881 W. GregorFolk-Lore 189: The seller, on receiving payment, returned a “luck penny” to the buyer, a sixpence, a shilling, or a larger sum, if it was thought a “stret bargain.”Bnff. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 83: Speelin the pad That is strett an' narra.Abd. 1950 27 : He had a strait brae to gang up til's house and it was gey sair on him.